Chapter 301: The Coroner
Chen Yanyun accompanied Zhang Julian to the Shuntian Prefecture Office.
Xu Chang, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, personally came to greet them and invited them to the banquet and rest area behind the office for tea.
"I heard there was a disturbance at the Drunken Immortal Restaurant, so I sent constables to arrest those involved. Who would have thought it was Lord Zuo... It wasn’t a major incident at first, but then a life was lost, so we had to bring Lord Zuo in. We were just about to transfer the case to the Minister of Justice."
As the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, a third-rank official of equal standing with Zuo Hede, Xu Chang couldn’t handle the matter himself. He also knew Zuo Hede was Zhang Julian’s man, so before notifying the Minister of Justice, he first sent word to Zhang Julian, giving him time to intervene and protect his subordinate.
A few deaths... under normal circumstances, this wouldn’t have been a big deal.
But the Drunken Immortal Restaurant was the largest in the capital, frequented by nobles and bustling with people. Zuo Hede had beaten the waiter so severely that his flesh split open, then casually picked up a copper kettle and smashed it down, splattering blood everywhere. Many witnesses were horrified.
Moreover, this happened at a critical moment when Zuo Hede was up for promotion. Even if Zhang Julian could shield him, his chances of advancement were likely ruined. Though Zhang Julian wielded great influence in court, he didn’t have absolute control. Aside from the Marquis Changxing’s Ye family, at least the Minister of Rites, Lord Gao, and the Minister of Justice’s He family remained neutral. Many other noble families were also deeply entrenched—Duke Zheng’s Chang family, Duke Ding’s Fan family, and the Marquis of Wuding’s family—all formidable opponents.
With Zuo Hede now embroiled in scandal, it would be difficult for their faction to push another candidate forward.
After learning the details, Zhang Julian’s expression darkened as he instructed Chen Yanyun, "First, go examine the corpse and see if there’s anything unusual." He intended to question Zuo Hede personally.
Chen Yanyun acknowledged the order, and Xu Chang led Zhang Julian to the prison cells. Meanwhile, Wang, the Assistant Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, escorted Chen Yanyun to the mortuary.
The coroner pulled back the hemp cloth covering the body for Chen Yanyun to inspect.
Chen Yi, experienced in such matters, stepped forward to examine the corpse. "...No other injuries. Bruising on the abdomen suggests internal trauma. Bring me a knife."
The coroner was surprised. Coroners were considered the lowest of professions—he himself was merely an undertaker hired for the job. He hadn’t expected this high-ranking official to take matters into his own hands. He quickly handed over a sharp knife.
Chen Yi knew most coroners were undertakers just scraping by, their descendants barred from the imperial examinations. Few had any real forensic skills. In his youth, however, he had studied under an old coroner and knew how to conduct an autopsy.
He warned the coroner, "Just stand back and watch. Remember—you did all this. It has nothing to do with us. Understood?"
The coroner nodded hastily, then glanced nervously at Chen Yanyun, who stood nearby.
This high-ranking official didn’t even flinch. Rumor had it he was the current Grand Secretary of the Dongge Hall... Yet he remained silent, simply observing.
Chen Yi finished the examination quickly, and a guard brought hot water for him to wash his hands.
Chen Yanyun glanced at Jiang Yan, who stepped forward and rewarded the coroner with a pouch of silver bullion before the group left the dimly lit mortuary.Chen Yi walked alongside Chen Yanyun and said, "Third Master. Even if this fellow hadn't suffered a heavy blow to the head, he likely wouldn't have lived much longer. Lord Zuo struck with such force that his spleen was ruptured. Strangely enough, the man had been drinking before his death. He'd enjoyed a fine meal..."
Zuo Hede had earned a formidable reputation during the campaign against the Japanese pirates, so his heavy-handedness came as no surprise.
"Even condemned prisoners get a good meal and wine before execution," Chen Yanyun sighed. "Zuo Hede was framed."
By the time they returned to the banquet and rest area, Fan Hui had also arrived.
Fan Hui rose and cupped his hands toward Chen Yanyun: "Lord Chen, you've arrived quite early."
Chen Yanyun smiled faintly: "Not as early as Lord Fan. I heard you were at the Drunken Immortal Restaurant when Lord Zuo injured that man?"
Fan Hui looked somewhat embarrassed, his delicate features flushing slightly: "At the time, I was hosting guests at the Drunken Immortal. We happened to hear commotion downstairs. When I went to investigate, I saw Lord Zuo grabbing the waiter by the collar and beating him. I wanted to intervene, but as a mere scholar lacking physical strength, what could I do? There were other dignitaries present in the restaurant at the time—the incident has probably spread widely already. There was nothing I could do... except come forward as a witness."
Chen Yanyun sat down to drink tea and asked, "Who was Lord Fan entertaining at the time? What a coincidence to encounter Lord Zuo there."
"...It was Lord Li, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy," Fan Hui smiled. "We passed the imperial examinations in the same year and often drink together at the Drunken Immortal."
Xu Chang arrived accompanying Zhang Ju Lian, and everyone stood to greet him.
Zhang Ju Lian nodded and sat beside Fan Hui: "After drinking, did Lord Zuo appear sober?"
"From my observation, he seemed completely out of his mind and extremely agitated. Even when others tried to pull him away, he wouldn't stop."
Why ask that?
Chen Yanyun glanced at Zhang Ju Lian.
Zhang Ju Lian's expression remained grim.
Fan Hui quickly added: "I can testify that the waiter accidentally collided with a bronze vase. I doubt there will be major consequences."
Chen Yanyun's hand holding the teacup paused momentarily. This Fan Hui is too eager for merit...
Zhang Ju Lian indeed grew wary and said coolly, "That won't be necessary, Lord Fan. Just tell the truth."
Fan Hui paled but forced a smile: "Yes, yes. It seems I overthought matters."
Just then, officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court arrived. Zhang Ju Lian and Chen Yanyun immediately boarded their carriage and departed from the Shuntian Prefecture office.
Once inside the carriage, Zhang Ju Lian said to Chen Yanyun: "That Fan Hui offering unsolicited favors—he must have ulterior motives. Keep a close eye on him."
Chen Yanyun nodded: "This student also finds it suspicious. Lord Fan's encounter with Zuo Hede was too coincidental."
Zhang Ju Lian gave a noncommittal hum and leaned back against the cushions with closed eyes. He asked: "Nine Balance, were there any abnormalities with the corpse?"
Chen Yanyun replied calmly: "The internal injuries were indeed severe, caused by beating. Nothing else stood out."
"Useless..." Zhang Ju Lian sighed. "He was framed yet remained completely unaware. Even if we promoted him to Minister of War, I doubt he could maintain the position."
Zhang Ju Lian had indeed deduced that Zuo Hede was framed.Chen Yanyun was now keeping reservations with Zhang Julian and naturally didn't want to reveal everything. Even if Zhang Julian guessed, with the person dead, there was no way to verify—he could do nothing about it. This was just as well. If Zhang Julian were to gain control of the Minister of War position, he would truly dominate the court. For now, he still had to be wary of many, especially those with military power.
Although Zhao Yinchi was neutral, he leaned toward the Marquis Changxing's family, after all, the old Marquis had shown him great kindness. Back when Prince Rui staged a palace coup and besieged the Marquis Changxing, Zhao Yinchi immediately mobilized troops to rescue them. Losing Zhao Yinchi would undoubtedly affect the Ye family.
Chen Yanyun asked, "We don't have a suitable candidate on our side to begin with. Without Zuo Hede, we might have to let someone from the Chang family take the position... Do you have any other plans?"
Zhang Julian opened his eyes and looked at Chen Yanyun, saying lightly, "Nine Balance, you've mellowed quite a bit since your marriage."
Chen Yanyun smiled. "You flatter me, Teacher. I never had much ambition to begin with."
"Last time, I caught a distant glimpse of your wife," Zhang Julian said. "Truly a peerless beauty. You're a lucky man."
When had he seen Gu Jinzhao?
Chen Yanyun could only respond modestly, "My humble wife is rather dull-witted and often requires my care. She still needs looking after."
"With someone like that, of course you'd treasure her. When your youngest is born, I'll come personally to congratulate you." Zhang Julian smiled. "I'll bring you a red envelope then."
The two parted ways at Huichun Lane, and Chen Yanyun boarded his carriage.
He rubbed his temples wearily.
Compared to Zhang Julian, he clearly lacked composure.
Zhang Julian's mind was as deep as the ocean. Apart from himself, who could guess even a fraction of it? Others couldn't even begin to grasp his thoughts.
Jiang Yan handed him a cup of Emei Snow Bud and asked, "Third Master, shall we return now?"
Chen Yanyun shook his head. "Go to Fuxue Alley. If anyone asks, say we left something behind. Send someone to Yuliu Alley to pass the message that I wish to see Ye Xian." Fuxue Alley and Yuliu Alley were adjacent, the latter being where the Marquis Changxing's residence was located.
The carriage clattered back to Fuxue Alley.
Ye Xian was in his study, amusing himself by teaching his budgerigar to talk.
Zhi Shu stood nearby, handing him birdseed.
"Young Master, last time you raised a parrot that could recite the Analects. What will you teach this one?" Zhi Shu asked curiously.
Ye Xian teased the bird's beak with his fingertip and said slowly, "This parrot is smarter than most people. Let's teach it Mencius. Once it learns, you can take it to Madam and have her study with it."
Zhi Shu squatted and watched for a while, growing a bit tired.
"Please don't make the Young Madam cry again. Last time you made her recite the Analects, she wept for two whole days. The Marchioness even summoned you to talk. The Young Madam is illiterate—you're being too hard on her..."
Ye Xian's delicate brows furrowed as he took a handkerchief and meticulously wiped his fingers, exuding an air of aristocratic refinement.
"Mother wants me to keep her company. What am I supposed to talk to her about? Either it's what she said to Mother today, what embroidery she did, or what delicious food she ate. It's utterly tedious. If she won't study, then she shouldn't bother me." He tossed the handkerchief aside and strode out of the study without a backward glance.Zhi Shu watched eagerly as they left. It was common knowledge that the Young Master didn't favor his wife. The two still hadn't consummated their marriage... If not for the fact that everyone knew their Young Master had peculiar temperaments and never showed interest in women, the Young Mistress would have been the laughingstock of the household.
Though truth be told, the Young Mistress was already being ridiculed.
Being thin-skinned, the Young Mistress spent her days weeping, which only made the Young Master dislike her even more.
Zhi Shu sighed. Even with such beauty, the Young Mistress couldn't win his favor. Who knows what kind of woman the Young Master would actually like...
As soon as Ye Xian stepped out of the study, Li Xianhuai approached him: "...Young Master, everything has been taken care of. The shop assistant's family has been settled. Zuo Hede has already been detained and will likely be transferred to the Ministry of Justice this afternoon."
Ye Xian gave a faint hum and asked indifferently, "Has Fan Hui sent any word yet?"
Li Xianhuai shook his head: "Not yet. There's someone outside asking to see you. Claims to be... the Huai'an Hermit, wishing to discuss poetry with you. He said you'd understand when you heard the name."
At the mention of "Huai'an Hermit," a cold glint flashed through Ye Xian's eyes.
Chen Yanyun... What could he possibly want with him!
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